DPRK reshuffles top military officials following warship launch flop
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Following a failed warship launch in Chongjin, the DPRK replaces top military officials in a sweeping reshuffle led by Kim Jong Un.
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This picture taken on May 28, 2025, shows leader Kim Jong Un (center R) directing an expanded meeting of the 8th Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, at the Pyongyang Party Central Committee headquarters building in the DPRK capital. (KCNA via KNS / AFP)
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has replaced several senior military officials during a meeting of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Friday.
The shake-up follows a recent naval accident that drew sharp criticism from DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.
The meeting, held on Wednesday and chaired by Kim himself, was convened to address high-level military matters and personnel changes in response to ongoing challenges.
KCNA reported that the commission appointed six new commanding officers to corps-level units, along with new directors for the Artillery Bureau and the Security Bureau. Additionally, several political commissars were reassigned or newly dispatched.
Warship launch failure sparks fallout
The reshuffle comes shortly after a 5,000-ton destroyer sustained serious damage during its launch ceremony in the northeastern port city of Chongjin.
The incident occurred when the warship’s stern moved ahead of the bow, resulting in structural damage and preventing the vessel from fully leaving the shipway.
Describing the launch failure as a “criminal act,” Kim condemned those responsible, attributing the incident to “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism.”
He pledged to hold the parties accountable, emphasizing the need for strict discipline in military engineering and logistics.
Fourth official detained
KCNA reported Monday that a fourth official in connection with last week’s failed launch has been detained.
The news agency confirmed that Ri Hyong Son, vice department director of the Munitions Industry Department under the Party Central Committee, was summoned and taken into custody on Sunday.
According to the report, Ri is “greatly responsible for the occurrence of the serious accident.”
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